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The Odyssey · written by Christopher Nolan · 2026
Scene 55 of 199 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two
Twenty years after leaving for the Trojan War, Odysseus fights his way home across a hostile sea only to find his kingdom overrun — and must return in disguise to reclaim his wife, his son, and his throne from the suitors laying siege to his house.
Ithaca frozen in a decade of waiting: Penelope weaving, the suitors feasting, Telemachus unheard.
Telemachus needs proof of his father's fate; Penelope needs the throne secured before the suitors force her hand.
Telemachus sails from Ithaca in secret, crossing into the unfamiliar world beyond his mother's house.
Odysseus's captivity with Calypso opens the parallel strand — a man who has forgotten his own family, slowly remembering his way home.
In the present, Odysseus finds a wooden lot from his rowing crew washed up on Calypso's beach and begs to see his men, still not remembering he has a wife and son.
At sea, Telemachus frets to Mentor about how to address a king.
Telemachus and Mentor arrive at Menelaus's palace disguised as Cretan traders to avoid suitor spies.
This scene
Telemachus and Mentor step over the BEGGARS into a MAGNIFICENT, OPULENT MEGARON -- GILDED, CROWDED with REVELLERS, DANCERS, BARDS... a STEWARD approaches...
STEWARD
Welcome.
MENTOR
Thank you.
He looks them up and down. Mentor looks at the CROWD...
MENTOR (CONT'D)
You seem to be having --
STEWARD
This way.
The Steward turns -- they follow him through the celebration...
MENTOR
Where are you taking us?
STEWARD
The King insists on greeting strangers himself.
Telemachus looks at Mentor, NERVOUS. Mentor leads as they follow the Steward up a flight of steps to a TOP TABLE. A RUGGED, MIDDLE-AGED MAN HOLDS COURT. This is MENELAUS. He barely glances at Mentor before settling a careful eye on Telemachus.
MENELAUS
Sit.
Space is made next to Menelaus. Mentor tries to sit there --
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
Not you. You.
Menelaus stares at Telemachus as he STEPS FORWARD to sit...
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
Enjoy our hospitality, as Zeus demands. Then perhaps you'll tell us who you are.
Telemachus nods thanks, nervous. FOOD and WINE are put in front of them.
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
You picked the right day to arrive. This is the feast of my daughter's wedding. Tomorrow she leaves to start a new life.
Menelaus looks Telemachus up and down.
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
I'm Menelaus, brother of Agamemnon. Husband of Helen. Perhaps you've heard of Helen?
Menelaus turns to the PROFILE OF THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN (FORTIES) SITTING NEXT TO HIM. He lifts his hand to her chin.
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
The face that launched a thousand ships.
He gently PULLS HER FACE AROUND towards Telemachus...
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
Now maybe just five hundred.
The other side of her face is VICIOUSLY SCARRED.
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
HELEN
And your brother's ambition.
She takes in Telemachus with cool eyes. Perhaps RECOGNITION.
HELEN (CONT'D)
This one looks familiar.
Menelaus takes a drink. Studies Telemachus. Nods. Telemachus shifts under his gaze, UNCOMFORTABLE...
MENELAUS
Ajax, Patrochlus... Achilles... all left under Trojan sand. But I don't miss any of them as much as I miss one particular warrior.
Telemachus STOPS EATING, desperate to ask...
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
The smartest of us all. Ten years we rotted on that beach.
INSERT CUT: HUNDREDS OF SHIPS, CAMPS, MEN, LINE THE BEACH...
Menelaus stares into the past...
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
Deadlocked. Fighting amongst ourselves. Until one man saw a way...
INSERT CUT: A FIGURE ON THE SHORE, HEAD DOWN IN CONTEMPLATION...
Menelaus fixes Telemachus WITH A LOOK --
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
Odysseus.
Telemachus cannot hide his reaction completely.
INSERT CUT: THE GREAT WOODEN HORSE LISTS IN THE RISING TIDE...
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
You've heard the story of the Horse?
Telemachus nods.
MENELAUS (CONT'D)
But have you heard it from the inside... ?